Disclaimer: Fairy Tail and the characters are owned by Hiro Mashima. I own this story based on Mashima's work

The golden key

A/N - we met James in Chapter 2.

"Natsu!" Lucy called, waving to her- well, the guy who said he liked her. The bottoms of her short, white playsuit flapped soothingly around her thighs in the light morning breeze. It felt nice and relaxing. She had no idea what Natsu had in mind, he'd only said they would be spending the day out around the lake. So Lucy did the best she could and planned for most of the options she could think of in a single outfit. The soft pink straps of her swimsuit peeked out at her neck - just in case. In her hands she carried a large, wide brim straw hat decorated with some colourful sea shells.

They'd agreed to meet on the short wooden dock on the Magnolia lakefront. Lucy couldn't lie, she was worried about leaving the details up to Natsu. This could end up with mud slides for all she knew, but seeing him at the docks, leaning casually on the handrails wearing a simple white shirt and navy shorts allayed her fears. Surely nothing dangerous can happen in run-of-the-mill shirt and shorts, right? Even for Natsu.

Natsu smiled broadly when he saw her and waved.

"Hi," she said as she bounded over, eyes only on his luxurious iced coffee.

"Want one?" he asked smiling, not missing a beat.

Stupid boys, she thought, they never have to think about—

"There are toilets where we're going," Natsu confirmed, reading her thoughts.

Lucy's eyes shined with delight as she reached out her hands as if to grab a cup between them.

"Yes, please".

Natsu laughed and ruffled her hair lightly as he pulled himself off the rails. She could be really cute.

"Wait here," he said walking towards one of the shops across the dock.

Lucy grinned and took his place on the rails, following him with her eyes.

He's so attractive, she mused as she took in his spiky hair and toned physique. He's that rare, striking type of attractive.

I can't believe he likes me!

Her eyes caught a few girls checking him out as he entered the coffee shop, their eyes following him as he walked. She could only imagine what they were whispering about as they giggled away. She remembered the girls at the football match the week before.

You're going to be trouble, aren't you? she thought playfully.

"What are you thinking about smiling to yourself like that?" a voice broke into her thoughts.

Lucy looked up and saw a dark-haired guy about her age across from her.

Oh Gosh, how embarrassing.

"Was I smiling, really? I'm sorry."

"No, don't apologise, you have a very nice smile."

Lucy blushed lightly.

Oh wow.

"Thanks. Oh, uh- I was just uh- checking out my- uh- uh- friend over there," she said, indicating to Natsu who was on his way back with her coffee.

What the heck are we? she wondered, certain she wasn't being the least bit convincing.

But apparently she was.

"Gotcha," the guy said putting his hands up. "Lucky guy. You guys have a nice day today," he said waving. Lucy waved back distractedly. If only they were all this polite.

"Friend of yours?" Natsu asked as he came up to her.

From her expression it was obvious she didn't know the guy. Before Natsu could say anything he heard the sound of the ferry horn booming as it pulled into the docks. The ferry connected various towns on the lake, Magnolia being the biggest.

"That's us," Natsu announced waving his coffee cup in the direction of the incoming ferry.

"Huh? We're leaving Magnolia?" Lucy asked doubtfully.

Natsu only smirked.

He did say around the lake in his message, Lucy recollected.

Lucy scanned the destination information at the front of the small pier. Her heart dropped to her feet. This one was headed to the northern towns.

While Natsu fished out the tickets he'd bought before she arrived, Lucy fetched her phone. As calmly as she could she found her chat with Levy and turned on her "live location". It immediately broadcasted her live GPS location to Levy.

Less than a minute later, while they were in the queue to board the ferry, Lucy received a message from Levy.

"Are you okay?" Levy's message read.

"Yep, just some insurance," Lucy responded.

Levy returned with just one word and six rolling-on-the-floor-laughing emojis: "Natsu?"

"Don't even get me started," Lucy messaged back, with an upside down smiley face.

§§§

Lucy slouched in her seat and breathed in the wonderful mountain air. All around the land towered eminently above her, reminding her of just how small she was in the grand scheme of things.

Lake Sciliora was huge. At its southern end, where Magnolia was located, the terrain was made up of rolling hills with open and undulating valleys. The further north one went the lake became progressively more mountainous. Hemmed in by towering mountains on both sides, the northern parts of the lake received almost constant breezes from air currents pushing their way through gaps in the lake's lofty walls.

As they rode up the lake Lucy and Natsu enjoyed views of kite surfers, wind surfers, sail boaters and a host of others enjoying the almost extreme winds at particularly good spots. Natsu also pointed out a group of paragliders high above them circling the lake and the mountains all around.

Even though they chatted and laughed throughout the ferry ride neither mentioned of the day before. At one point Lucy wondered if she'd imagined their kiss and Natsu's confession. Then came other doubts. Was today even a date? Did she read too much into it? If they did say they liked each other, what did that mean? What was their relationship now that those words had been spoken? For a girl new to romance, Lucy had no idea. The questions only swirled round and round in her head without answer.

But it wasn't any different for Natsu who was certain their relationship had grown the day before, but today, as they settled into their usual companionship, wasn't sure at all. Sure, he was having fun, but he wanted to be closer to her - and he wasn't sure how he was supposed to achieve that.

And so, as they chatted on never really saying what they wanted to, the driver announced that the ferry was pulling into the final destination.

Natsu had chosen Lucy's favourite northern town for their … day together. It was a characteristic little town perched on a mountainside that ran almost flush into the shores of the lake. Much of the town was built into the rock, on wide terraces carved into the mountainside. Lucy adored the town's old world style and feel. It was rustic, charming and definitely romantic.

He might be a really thoughtful guy, she thought eying him as they got ready to disembark.

When customers were invited to descend Natsu grabbed her hand and practically dragged her down the ramp.

"Come on Lucy," he exclaimed cheerfully.

In the town, Natsu adjusted his hand securely around hers and pointed to the main street in front of them.

"We can start here and work our way around the town and then up. Sound good?"

Lucy beamed happily at him, closing in the distance between them so her shoulders brushed lightly against his arm. The connection sent a delightful charge of electricity between them.

This is more like it, they both thought.

"Okay, but I wanna see some of the cute side streets too. They wind up like little caverns into the mountain or down towards the lake. Some of them lead to other quaint little streets that literally stop at the edge of the mountain so you're just looking out across the lake. The views are amazing."

Natsu laughed quietly at her enthusiasm. In truth, he was happy with anything she wanted to do.

"Yes, Ma'am," he replied through laughs as, this time, Lucy dragged him along.

Together they explored the town's streets, shops and scenic views, revelling in their natural chemistry and now very obvious attraction.

After a late lunch they decided to see some of the town's higher levels. The views of the lake and the surrounding mountains got even more incredible the higher they walked. As they stopped at one lookout to take in the view Lucy leaned into Natsu who put his arm around her and pulled her close. Suddenly memories of the day before came flooding back - and with it the yearning to be even closer.

Lucy thought back to just over an hour before when Natsu had chased her around one of the small gardens they were exploring with a strange bug he'd found. He'd caught her in his powerful arms and teased her with the bug while she screamed and squirmed trying to get away. The "bug" turned out to be a rock. She'd smacked him so hard when she found out. He'd collapsed laughing adorably on the grass beside her.

She'd had this same feeling then.

Maybe this time . . .

"It's such a lovely day," Lucy said looking out at the lake and circling her arm around his waist. "Everything is just so clear. It's so pretty."

"Yeah," Natsu murmured in response, glancing down at her and pulling her even closer.

Then, as Lucy's cursed luck would have it, Natsu's phone rang. He let her go to take the call. Lucy couldn't remember the last time her heart sunk so low so fast.

"Yea, we're almost there. See you soon," she heard Natsu say.

"What was that about?" she asked, looking at him quizzically.

"We have somewhere we need to be in 20 minutes," he answered, grinning enigmatically.

"Where?" Lucy probed.

"You'll see," Natsu baited, catching the wild curiosity in her eyes. "Come on, it's a little walk but it's right ahead."

Natsu took her hand and led her further down the path. This was the most romantic passage Lucy had ever seen in her life. On one side the high walls of the town rose up to the next level. On the other, the sapphire waters of Lake Sciliora opened out in all directions as far as her eyes could see, the majestic mountains around them almost cradling the waters in place.

The railings of the path on the lakeside were decorated with beautiful flower boxes with huge bunched flowers overflowing from them. They were the only things separating the two from the expanse beyond. Looking up, Lucy could see the windows and gardens of homes on the level above them. The owners' fruit and flowering trees spilled out in parts, forming a colourful fruit and flower ceiling over the passage. She squeezed Natsu's hand next to her as she took it all in. It was so beautiful.

Natsu looked down at her. Wonder and joy was written all over her face. Impulsively, he leaned down and kissed her softly.

Natsu watched her smile up and him as he pulled away, a slight blush creeping up her face. Internally, he laughed at himself. That turned out to be much easier that he thought it'd be. Relieved, and feeling pretty victorious, he weaved his fingers through hers and tugged her alongside him once more.

Eventually, the path opened up to join the main street that connected the different towns on the lake. Still, up they went. Natsu led Lucy to a beautiful, sprawling building built into the mountainside and extending all the way down to the lake. It looked like a luxury hotel perched over the lake. Above the door was the Fairy Tail symbol.

Lucy's jaws dropped from the surprise. He'd brought her to Fairy Tail's lakeside retreat.

"Hello Master Dragneel," the doormen greeted as the approached. "We were wondering when you'd stop by, we haven't seen you at all this summer."

While they chatted, Lucy looked up at the building, a familiar feeling of dread coming over her. She had not seen Natsu at the Club for over a week and in that time she'd come to take the 'Dragneel' for granted. To her, he was just 'Natsu'. Now, she was suddenly reminded of the distance between them. And here of all places, in a place that intimidated her and only emphasised the differences between them.

Just as he was finishing up his chat Natsu glanced at the girl next to him. She was looking at the Fairy Tail insignia with a strange expression. It was the same way she'd looked at the canopy at Fairy Tail the night he first saw her. Now that he knew her, he finally understood that look: she was scared.

Lucy stared up at the insignia, feeling her anxiety rise. Before it could build any further she felt Natsu's warm, reassuring hand in hers. The next thing she knew Natsu was pulling her across the threshold into Fairy Tail. As she crossed, she cast a confused look at Natsu. The conviction she saw in his features dispelled all her fear in an instant, and in its place Lucy felt a warm security.

That's right, she thought. I'm with Natsu.

As they walked up to the reception desk Lucy wondered when it was that she began to feel so safe with him.

"Yo, Yajima," Natsu waved to the elderly gentleman behind the desk.

"Natsu, how good to see you my boy," the man replied, beaming at the two who approached him. "And who is this? Well, isn't she a pretty one!" he said looking at Lucy.

Embarrassed, Lucy managed a polite "hi" and "thank you."

"This is Lucy," Natsu answered, lifting their connected hands. He was loathe to let it go after the look he just saw.

"Ah, Lucy," Yajima mused, letting her name play across his lips in a little sing-song. "A very pretty name for a very pretty girl," he said turning behind him to pick up a key.

"You and your girlfriend having a nice time today, Natsu?" Yajima asked casually turning his back to them. He turned around to find a very pale Natsu and a very red Lucy in front of the counter.

"Too soon?" he whispered under his breath to Natsu, the silver key in his hand hovering mid-air.

Natsu nodded imperceptibly.

"Ah, then," Yajima continued calmly, turning back to his key safe. "You're going to want this one."

Yajima searched among the keys in front of him and pulled out a new one, handing it to a very bewildered Natsu.

The boy wasn't sure what to do.

"Trust an old man, Natsu. This is the key you want. Go to Gate 2. You might have to wait a few minutes as I have to inform the others about the switch, but it shouldn't be too long."

As Natsu took the key, Yajima winked at the boy he watched grow up.

"Do enjoy your evening, Master Dragneel," he said with a sly smile.

Natsu only nodded silently and led Lucy out, looking at the golden key in his hand.

"What was that about?" Lucy asked when they were back in the main street.

"I have absolutely no idea," her companion admitted. "But he's a nice guy, I trust him. Gate 2 it is! It's this way, come on".

They walked along the road for a few meters before coming to a small gate marked 'Private'. There was a small '2' carved into the intricate iron gate handle. On the other side of the gate were stone steps cut into the rock. They led down towards the lake. Carefully, Natsu and Lucy wound their way down the steps navigating the encroaching foliage on either side. At the bottom of the steps Lucy found small dock. The moment she stepped on the wood, she gasped.

"Oh wow! Natsu!" she screamed running off to the end of the dock laughing like a maniac.

Natsu followed her, not sure what had gotten into her.

"Oh my gosh, Natsu it's a Riva," she said excitedly when she was at the end.

"Uh, I think that's a lake, Lucy," Natsu said coming up behind her, not sure what had gotten into her.

"No, Natsu, the boat. The boat!" she said pointing to the cute little wooden boat at the end of the dock. "That's a Riva."

Natsu glanced at the elegant insignia scrolled across the side of the boat. 'Riva', it said. He shook off his confusion and put his hands casually into his pockets.

"Well, I see you know your boats, Lucy," Natsu said trying not to let his own ignorance show.

"Not really," Lucy answered honestly. "But I live on a lake and if there is one thing I know it's that, that right there, the Riva Aquarama, is the most beautiful thing that has ever been on water. Ever. It's iconic."

And then the clouds in Natsu's eyes cleared. He pumped his fist in the air and cackled silently.

Thank you, Yajima, he thought gratefully.

"Oh, she's so pretty." Lucy continued. "Look at the dials! And the cute little wheel! Oh, dad's just gonna freak!" she squealed, trying to angle herself for a selfie with the boat.

"Here, I'll take it," Natsu said, trying to be useful in this baffling situation.

As Lucy kneeled in front of the luxury runabout Natsu lowered the camera and tossed her a quizzical look.

"You don't want to get inside?" he asked, like it was the most normal thing in the world.

Lucy's eyes enlarged until it looked like she was wearing two saucers on her face.

"I can go inside?" she gasped, her mouth forming a huge O. The girl hadn't even dared to touch the precious boat.

She looked so astonished that Natsu could only burst out laughing.

What is wrong with her?

"How else are we going to get back to Magnolia?" the boy asked between laughs.

At this point Lucy Heartfilia was dead to the world.

So this is what the expression 'her soul is slipping away' means, Natsu thought to himself.

"I see you know quality, Miss Heartfilia," a voice came up behind them, bringing Lucy back with it.

"James!" Lucy greeted him. She had always thought fondly about the kind driver who took her and Levy to Fairy Tail that first evening.

"Hello again, Miss Heartfilia. It's good to see you're still so high-spirited."

"Didn't I say it's just 'Lucy', James? I hate this Miss Heartfilia crap," Lucy rambled, still on a boat high and grateful that a third party she was acquainted with had joined them.

"How about we compromise at Miss Lucy?" James offered, glancing at Natsu to see if it was okay.

"You know I'm like her," Natsu retorted. "I'd be happy with 'Pinky' if it meant none of that 'Master' crap."

James positioned himself between the boat and the dock and offered his hand to Lucy to help her board.

As Natsu crossed the dock to the boat he bent towards James' ear.

"Is this transportation really such a big deal?" he whispered.

"Oh yeah," James confirmed confidently, raising the golden key between them. "You'll learn the true power of this key when you're old enough to drive this."

Suddenly, Natsu couldn't wait to be 18.

§§§

"Looshy's squishy," Natsu slurred, wrapping his arms tightly around the blond and rubbing his face into her stomach.

From his place at the wheel James suppressed a laugh.

That boy's got a death wish, he mused.

James had been working for Fairy Tail for more than ten years, but this, hands down, had to be his favourite trip ever.

About 30 minutes into the journey the Dragneel boy all of a sudden started to look very green. And he only got greener and more gelatinous the more time passed.

At first he'd draped himself over the side of the boat, acting like everything was fine. It was obvious to James that the boy was hoping the refreshing water would save him. However, he'd folded himself over the shakiest part of the boat. Within minutes he'd almost fallen into the water and his, well, what James assumed to be his date, had to grab him and haul his heavy, deadweight body back into the boat. They'd toppled clumsily to the floor, the Dragneel boy overturning the girl twice - and most shamefully too.

James had cringed at the wheel. If Master Dragneel was looking to impress this girl, he was failing monumentally.

Of course, I couldn't help, he'd rationalised mentally. I'm driving. Besides, who doesn't keep count of the hours between doses of dramamine? Things only get ugly when dramamine wears off.

And ugly they got.

The girl managed to drag the glob of a boy to the long seat at the back of the boat where she tried desperately to hold him in place, but he just kept wobbling. Eventually, he landed face down on her bare lap. Miss Lucy couldn't have been more mortified. There was a long, frightful pause while she registered what had happened. Then James heard the loudest, most terrible screech he'd ever heard in all his life. It drowned out the motor and all the motors surrounding them. She tried to push the boy off, but that only made him gag. Which led to more frenzied screaming and wriggling - and what James thought was a very real threat to drown the heir to the Dragneel Group.

Now, this disaster of a date was taking an even more eventful turn.

"Natsu," the girl was pleading, her voice breaking from her distress, "please, please, please, tell me you took the non-drowsy."

The Dragneel boy only rubbed his face into her stomach again. The blond stared disbelievingly at him as he mumbled lines and lines of gibberish into her stomach.

"Looshy … Loo - Loo - Looshhhh … Looshhhhhhhh …. Swooshhh … heh, heh … Swoooooooshy … "

At her wits end, she called to James who couldn't suppress his amusement when his eyes finally landed on her.

She looked absolutely defeated. She could only manage a meek, "help", which was drowned out by her companion's "… Looshy is swooshy …"

James collected himself for her sake.

"Miss Lucy," he said in his usual, calming voice, "I think you'll find that he won't need more than forty minutes or so to sleep the worst of it off. Why don't you try comforting him? That might calm him and make this uncomfortable situation a little more bearable?"

Out of options and her spirit broken, the blond nodded slowly.

"Okay, I'll try."

James turned back to his job while Lucy took a deep breath and went to hers.

"Okay, come on Natsu," she said sweetly. She collected his splayed limbs and pulled him closer to her. Leaning over so she was close to his ear, she whispered to him in the most soothing voice she could muster.

"Natsu," she crooned. "It'll be okay. The medicine's working. You'll be fine. Just sleep now. Okay?"

She watched as he slowly settled into her lap.

Relief flooded her face. He was finally quiet.

Relaxing into the serene mood that came over them as the boat sped through the sapphire waters, Lucy unconsciously began humming. It was a lullaby she used to sing to Romeo when he was sick. As she hummed she looked out to the beautiful lake around them and swayed lightly to the sound, her fingers skimming lightly up and down the boy's arms.

This is so nice, she thought.

James glanced behind him and smiled, a wave of nostalgia hitting him.

Ah, young love, he thought.

Turning back to the lake, he noticed they were approaching the wake of another boat in front of them. He was about to manoeuvre safely, but then he had a wicked thought. He had a wicked, most devilish thought.

"Miss Lucy," he called behind him. "It looks like we're approaching some choppy waters. You're gonna need to hold on tighter. It's going to get very bumpy. Hold on tight now, don't let him sway too much."

"Okay," our obedient girl replied, drawing Natsu securely to her and angling her body so that she'd absorb most of the shocks. As they slammed into wave after wave, Lucy pulled her friend tighter to her. They bounced dangerously around the seat together but Lucy did her best to protect him. He was going to be fine. She'd make sure of it.

They arrived in Magnolia just after 6pm. Natsu asked Lucy to wait for him at the end of the dock while he arranged to send James back.

"Thanks for everything, James," Natsu said, shaking James' hand. As he turned to leave he saw the man's surprised expression at the tip in his hand.

"For the 'calming' thing - and the 'choppy waters' thing," Natsu explained, before stepping out of the boat.

Realisation slowly made it to James' eyes.

"Natsu," James called after him, suddenly forgetting all propriety.

James took in the boy's quizzical expression.

There's no way.

But James needed know.

"You didn't take the drowsy one, did you?"

There was a short pause as a huge smirk made its way across Natsu's face.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," he declared, the smirk never leaving his face.

James watched him walk away.

The Dragneel boy … he might be a genius.

When Natsu met up with Lucy he asked her if she wanted to get something to drink and walk around a bit. They found themselves following the path along the lake as they'd done the week before. This time, they walked it hand in hand, at some points shoulder to shoulder. They found a quiet spot close to the water's edge and sat down. Exhausted, but not wanting to part just yet, they fell into a comfortable silence, each thinking about their day and the growing relationship between them.

Following the meanderings in his mind Natsu landed on something Erza once said to him a long time ago: it's not how much time we spend with someone that matters. It's the weight of the feelings that have piled up in the time we've known them.

At the time, Natsu had no idea what she'd meant. But now, her meaning - and what she'd felt when she'd said those words - was unmistakable.

Keeping his eyes fixed on the water's edge in front of them, Natsu broke the silence.

"Lucy?"

"Mm?"

"I've never really done this kind of stuff before so I don't really know what I'm supposed to do here," he admitted after a pause.

Lucy nodded slowly, his words resonating with her.

"I sort of understand what you mean," she confessed. She'd never been in this kind of relationship with a boy before - she didn't even understand what 'this kind of relationship' even meant. All she knew was that they liked each other. "I don't have much experience with this sort of thing either."

"Sorry, this is probably going to be a little awkward, but I want to say it. Will you listen?"

Lucy could only nod. He was being so serious.

"I like you and I want to continue going out with you. I would like it if you would be my girlfriend."

There. Said it. Natsu congratulated himself. He wasn't sure if that was how it was supposed to be done or if that sort of relationship was already implied the day before. This whole thing was too complicated. But even if he sounded like a complete dork, he wanted to try to voice what he was thinking.

His directness took Lucy by surprise. And his timing. Was it too soon? She didn't even know. Still, she knew how she wanted to answer. The time they were spending together was making her too happy.

She turned to him and met his eyes.

"I'd like that too, Natsu," she answered smiling, but Natsu caught the flash of doubt that briefly lit her eyes.

"I've thought about it," he said, guessing at the reason for her doubt. "I think I want to focus on what I want to do right now. I'll worry about Crocus when that time comes. I don't think it's that big of a deal. Crocus is not that far away, especially if I take the jet."

Lucy stared at him for a moment before falling over to the side with laughter. She laughed and laughed, allowing the tears that pricked at her eyes to run down. She laughed at the boy's insane words - words that he'd said way too casually - and from the relief that was flooding through her. In his special way, Natsu had again dispelled her worries, this time, the growing nervousness she felt whenever she thought about what would happen when the summer was up.

"You are so weird," she said, nudging his arm gently with her elbow. When she saw how dumbstruck he looked, she rolled over with laughter all over again. Did he really not know how weird that was?

"I like that you're so weird," she confided, composing herself and smiling up at him. "I feel lucky that you're so weird."

She settled in closer to him, hugging his arm. He's right, she thought as she looked at him. It made no sense running away from the present just because the future was uncertain. She wanted to treasure the feelings and the boy in front of her right now.

"You're right. Thank you, Natsu," she said, getting comfortable on his arm.

Natsu raised her chin slightly so that she was looking at him again.

"I think my girlfriend might actually be a bigger weirdo than I am," he mocked, before capturing her lips with his. This was what he'd wanted to do from the moment he'd seen her at the dock that morning, probably from even before that, and it had just kept building all day.

Lucy rested her head on his shoulder when they broke apart, letting the blissful sound of the water relax her.

"Oh, and just so you know," Natsu quipped, reclining slightly. "I think I could get used to this kissing thing."

Once again, Lucy burst out laughing.

This idiot of hers was definitely going to be trouble.

She couldn't wait.

A/N

I really hope you guys enjoyed this chapter.

That concludes the summer adventures arc. Our last arc - Revelations - starts next update!

I can't wait! Till then.

Notes on the imagery in this arc
The physical landscape for Lake Sciliora is based on Lake Garda in Italy where I spend my summers.

Magnolia's lakeside landscape is inspired by the southern towns on Lake Garda but I've tried to put the Magnolia city plan on top of it.

The basis for the northern lake town Natsu and Lucy visit in this chapter is Limone sul Garda, but I've bulked it up with influences from other Garda towns. I did keep two things from Limone - the cute path described in this chapter (I changed it slightly, so if you're ever there don't expect to see it exactly) and the super cute little numbered gates. If you're ever in Lake Garda and you walk to the Ciclopista di Garda from Limone town you'll see them.

The lake/mountain activities in this arc are pretty much stuff we have in Lake Garda - except the rockets.